The North Carolina Department of Health and Services is investigating multiple cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness found in a number of states across the country.Officials said three cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported in North Carolina this year — two probable and one confirmed. Most of the cases are in children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs. The symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they haven't found the cause. "This is a mystery so far," the CDC's Dr. Nancy Messonnier said in a call Tuesday with reporters.Sixty-two cases have been confirmed so far this year in 22 states with 65 cases being investigated. Similar waves of the same illness occurred in 2014 and 2016.The cases in 2014 and 2016 were attributed in part to particular strains of respiratory germs that spread the most in the summer and fall.It is "a pretty dramatic disease," but fortunately most kids recover, Messonnier said.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

The North Carolina Department of Health and Services is investigating multiple cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness found in a number of states across the country.

Officials said three cases of acute flaccid myelitis have been reported in North Carolina this year — two probable and one confirmed.

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Most of the cases are in children who have suffered muscle weakness or paralysis, including in the face, neck, back or limbs.

The symptoms tend to occur about a week after they had a fever and respiratory illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they haven't found the cause.

"This is a mystery so far," the CDC's Dr. Nancy Messonnier said in a call Tuesday with reporters.

Sixty-two cases have been confirmed so far this year in 22 states with 65 cases being investigated. Similar waves of the same illness occurred in 2014 and 2016.

The cases in 2014 and 2016 were attributed in part to particular strains of respiratory germs that spread the most in the summer and fall.

It is "a pretty dramatic disease," but fortunately most kids recover, Messonnier said.